The Best Music of 2014

While melody and lyrics once again lost out to the cacophonies of “Keeda” (Action Jackson), “Alcoholic” (The Shaukeens), “Tharki Chhokro” (PK) and “G-Phaad Ke” (Happy Ending. Seriously?!) churned out by Bollywood in 2014, my resolve to keep the faith in 2015 remains intact. Albeit a bit shaken…

Movie producers and directors remained committed to subjecting listeners to the endless torture of so-called “party anthems”, wrapped around rowdy, lewd and downright disgusting lyrics. Where this trend is headed for, and whether there is any end in sight, no one can say. There is, however, a glimmer of hope that we can still survive on…and this “short” list below is a celebration of the remnants of some good music that we heard in 2014.

My hope is that some of your own year-end favorites are also here, alongside any “Chaar Bottle Vodka” (Ragini MMS 2), “The Pappi Song” (Heropanti) and “Chichora Piya” (Action Jackson) that you may have on your list. 🙂

5.) VISHAL-SHEKHAR (Hasee Toh Phasee, Bang Bang, Happy New Year)

No one can make rocking party songs like Vishal-Shekhar and their three releases this year are a testament to their creative abilities. From “Shake It Like Shammi” from HTP to “Tu Tu Tu Meri” in BB to “India Vaale” in HNY….everything was Bang-on. But for me, the best VS-song trophies went to “Manvaa Laage” from HNY and the absolutely heart-warming “Zehnaseeb” from HTP…both of them penned by Amitabh Bhattacharya.

4.) A.R. RAHMAN (Highway, Lekar Hum Deewana Dil)

While the film sank without a trace, Lekar Hum Deewana Dil had Rahman giving us some of his best upbeat commercial music in a long time. “Khaleefa” was an amazing party track, while “Alaahda” had Amitabh Bhattacharya once again writing some wonderful lyrics.

Highway – the album was a soulful listen. Like all other great Rahman albums, this one also takes time to grow on you, and when it does, you can’t have enough of it. “Maahi Ve”, “Patakha Guddi” and “Tu Kuja” were beautifully penned by Irshad Kamil but the scene stealer for me was “Kahaan Ho Tum”, a haunting melody that reminded me of “Tum Ko” from Rockstar.

3.) AMIT TRIVEDI (Queen)

Kangana Ranaut may have been the Queen in the film but the title of the King belonged to music director Amit Trivedi. Kudos to Vikas Bahl, the director, who masterfully juxtaposed Trivedi’s songs, written beautifully by Anvita Dutt, onto the Queen’s life situations. The best song in the film for me was “Kinare” signifying the liberation of Kangna’s character from the shackles of societal pressures.

2.) VISHAL BHARDWAJ (Haider, Dedh Ishqiya)

While Gulzar Saab and Vishal Bhardwaj had fun with both poetry as well as playful lyrics in Dedh Ishqiya, it was their Haider that had me mesmerized for weeks. I was not impressed with the songs initially and found them too metaphorical, but upon seeing the film (which incidentally ranks as my favorite film of 2014), the entire album stuck with me for a long time. Every song captured the emotions of the characters just perfectly but the one that remains etched in my heart till date is Vishal’s own rendition of “Jhelum”. Superb!!

1.) SHANKAR-EHSAAN-LOY (2 States, Kill/Dil)

And finally, the masters of music, in my humble opinion! SEL gave us two of the best albums of the year and every song deserves multiple listening. Whether it was with the inimitable Amitabh Bhattacharya who wrote for 2 States or Gulzar Saab who amazed us with his ultra-witty Kill/Dil (coming right off the heels of the soulful Haider), SEL knew how to make popular, catchy and memorable music. “Mast Magan” is my favorite song from 2 States while “Bol Beliya” is the best pick from Kill/Dil.